The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-12-10

the prisoner, who had been leaning as if for support against the side of the dock, raised himself to his full height, stretched out both his hands above his head, and looking up exclaimed in a broken voice, Not guilty, not guilty
 "The judge then asked him, as was usual, ii he had anything to say before sentence should be pronounced, and the prisoner cried hoarsely: Not guilty, my lord, not guilty; before heaven and man, am innocent of this crime. I never set my eyes on the man; I did no murder. Oh captain, captain-" in his vehemence he addressed the judge as if he were his officer-I am as innocent of this crime as the babe unborn He paused, then suddenly ill voice choking with feeling, he exclaimed: Yes, yes, only one man can save me now; but he can do it, swear what you may. The Lord be thanked, that man is here.'
 "A buzz of astonishment ran round the court; the feeling of awe that had held the audience changed to one or AIIlaZeHleTI.
 "tPoint him out to me- said the judge.
 "sThe man who can save me- re- piled the prisoner, sits there beside you,' pointing to the astonished Cap tain Forsyth.
 "The judge turned to Captain For syth and said: 'This! man appears to know you. Is it the case?'
 "'Certainly not he replied, much surprised; I never saw him before in my life.'
 "'Oh, captain,' broke in the pris- oner. Yes, you needn't start, l know you, Captain Forsyth. You are never going to swear away an innocent mans life like that?'
 "It is curious, my man, the cap- tain replied, that you know my name; but l repeat that never saw you before in my life.'
 "'Wha.! Not know John Will Hams of the "Neptune?" The cox swain of the captains cutter?'
 "Yes, know John Williams but you are not he. John Williams was the smartest man that ever served un- der me, and not likely to stand where you are now
 "'Captain,' repeated the prisoner, I tell you am John Williams. A long illness, a hard bout of drinking and this cursed Imprisonment have trade me what I am. And 1 will prove it., captain; will prove it if you will only listen.'
 "The sensation caused by this dia- logue was immense. The judge, the members of the bar and the spectators were equally astonished at the curious turn affairs had taken, and, though believing the man to be guilty of a desperate deceit to save his life, were eagerly awaiting what should come.
 "'Captain,' continued the prisoner, I am accused of murdering man here on June 25th, more than nine months ago. Now, tell me, sir, was not John Williams-your coxswain-invalided home from the West African station on the last day of that month";
 "'What the man says remarked Captain Forsyth to the judge, is per fectly true. His majesty's ship, the "Invincible," sailed with our invalided men for England on June 3O.'
 "The prisoner went on: Yes, and I arrived in England at the end of July, weak and i'll, and getting my prize money went and drank it all ou,oy Aud fhof,c hovy ;t xrae xyoc found at Bristol, where had gone for another ship; and ever since then I have been in this accursed jail'
 wThe fellow is plausible enough again remarked Captain Forsyth. He is certainly about the height of Will Hams. Well, my man, suppose you can prove what you say?'
 "Ay, ay, captain. Do you remem- Der, on the 10th of last June, giving orders for night raid on the native town off which we lay looking out for slavers?'
 "'Yes, do, to be sure.'
 "And that we were five boats in all And the first to the beach was the captains cutter. And the first man to Jump out ol It was you, cap tain.'
 "'Well, this is the most extraordi- nary thing I ever heard' And turn ing to the judge, the captain said |: Every word of this poor fellows story is true, my lord. He may have picked it up somewhere, but I can't help be- ginning to think there is something behind. My ship is still in foreign service, and have only returned to take charge of another one."
 "Well, go on, my man.
 "'One more. word, captain, and may be you will believe me. As we were fighting in the town, great negro came behind you with his axe and would have cut you in half before you saw him had not a man rushed be-